Breastfeeding the Twins (Part 1)

For starters ... let me say, I’ve been hungry in fact, starving for the last 365-plus days since breastfeeding the twins. The hunger is uncontrollable. When we first brought them home, now a year ago ... the Summer Olympics, Michael Phelps, and his diet were all over the news. I could have beaten Michael hands down in an eating competition during the first few months of their little lives. One word: starving! And for the past year, I can remember feeling “full” just about six times. Honestly.

Perhaps, I should also mention I have zero medical training nor am I a licensed nutritionist. I guess what I am saying, is in many eyes, I am no expert. BUT what I will say is I have been actively–daily–hourly—breastfeeding my twins for 365-plus days of their lives. So maybe, I have a little “hands on” experience.

When I was pregnant with the twins I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt I was going to breastfeed. I breastfed my first for fifteen-plus months. So I knew the dos and don’ts. I thought I kind of knew what to expect. And boy, was I ever wrong! If you Google “breastfeeding twins,” there are a few options that will pop up. In most breastfeeding/nursing books or magazines, they have devoted a chapter or two to the subject of twins. There isn’t really a lot of info to find, so my knowledge was vague to say the least. So without a lot of knowledge ... I thought to myself, I can handle it—“What’s one more—right?”

Well, that above thought or statement, as to date, has been the biggest understatement of my life

I won’t go into month by month detail, but I will say the first month was the hardest, most trying month of my life. My genetic make-up or personality (what have you) is pretty much a “Happy-go-Lucky” type of gal. (Hopefully, my friends will testify to this.) But during the first month, everyday I felt the urge to throw something at the wall. OR at my very supporting husband. (Almost too supporting.) Plain and simple, my thirty-seven-week gestation, seven-pound-nine-ounce and seven-pound-two-ounce twins would. not. latch.

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09.07.2009
amy morrall
Thank you for sharing, that was the first time I have read a story anything like mine. I also had large twins (7lbs 15oz and 7lbs 8oz) that wouldn't latch on. My milk took 5 days to come in and so at the hospital i was advised to cup feed and keep trying. They expected me to give up, but with expressing and bottle feeding and trying to get them to latch it took me two weeks and both were feeding from me for 100% of the time. I fed them for 13 months and i too was starving and the thirst was unbearable at times. I had a very supportive husband and mother that I couldn't of done it without. Some days I would throw myself on the bed and just cry. It was the hardest thing I have ever done. but i am so very pleased i did.
08.09.2009
Carrie Hart
Thanks so much for sharing this! I had difficulties nursing my son, but just one! Kudos to you for keeping at it & then keeping it up all year! I also remember being STARVED for those first few weeks especially - I would grab plain pieces of bread & stuff them into my mouth in the middle of the night because I was SO hungry. :)
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